Blog 17 2020 and the New Year

Well, what on Earth was that… 2020 was a year to forget but also a year to remember. So way back in early 2020, I was preparing to fly to Canada to work at a summer camp & then Covid hit. I knew then that it wasn’t going to happen which sucked, I then moved out of home and in with my sister for my parent’s sake until the 1st Northern Ireland Lockdown ended. when I got home I was still feeling down in the dumps going in and out of work doing the same routine day in and day out but I got to the point where I needed to do something, So I looked at the Screenplay that I had written for my final project in Uni & decided to submit it to a few festivals.

2020 started to pick up a bit for me then as my screenplay started doing well which has led to me becoming an Award-Winning Screenwriter and, I didn’t want to stop there I decided with my Tracey to go out walking and go on photo trips to my mental & physical health.

This had led to Climbing Cuilcagh and having a panic attack taking a Jaffa Cake for sugar & proving to myself that I could do it and so Jaffa Journeys was Born. From Cuilcagh we travelled around most of Ulster but stuck to our local Fermanagh & Omagh District Council Area which led The Council acquiring some of my pieces for the Civic Collection & are now on Public Display in the Strule Arts Centre Omagh, my local gallery. This was a massive milestone for me having my work displayed in Public for the first time & meant a great deal.

the Global Pandemic has dropped me down to the bottom but also made me rise again by starting Jaffa Journey’s Blogs, developing myself & my work, pushing myself further than I ever have before and I thank every one of you who has been a part of that, especially my parents, sisters, nephews for believing in me.

It is now a New Year and one walk in NI is going into yet another lockdown & I am still working in retail, let’s make this New Year a better one even if we are in and out of lockdowns the best we can. I know I will try and think of new & fun creative things to do, maybe some home studio shoots. All I will say for now is 2021, Let’s be havin ya!

Don’t forget to follow my Instagram a.mcphotography1 and my Facebook @A.McPhotography2 for all the latest with myself, future trips and other projects to come. you are more than welcome & if you want to message me about anything at all then feel free.

Until next time my friends Please, stay safe, healthy and keep exploring.